ThisIsRochester.com: Media

Editor of '(585)' magazine takes over ownership

Nov. 21, 2019 -- The editor-in-chief of '(585)' magazine is now also the owner.

Jane Milliman, who has been in charge of the bimonthly magazine, bought the title from Buffalo Spree on Nov. 11.

The magazine covers food and drink, arts and culture in the six-county area.

Fired meteorologist suing Rochester mayor

Nov. 18, 2019 -- Fired WHEC meteorologist Jeremy Kappell has filed a lawsuit alleging that Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren defamed him when she accused him of uttering a racial slur on the air in January.

Kappell was fired after he spoke a phrase that sounded like "Martin Luther Coon King Jr. Park" during a live segment on the evening news that showed a shot of the downtown Rochester park bearing King's name. Kappell did not correct himself at the time. Two days later, Warren and City Council president Loretta Scott demanded Kappell be fired, saying the purported slur was "beyond unacceptable."

Kappell, who had worked at the station since 2017, later apologized but WHEC fired him nonetheless.

Kappell, who has said his utterance was the result of speaking too fast, filed a lawsuit in April alleging breach of contract and defamation by WHEC, general manager Richard Reingold and parent company Hubbard Broadcasting.

A response by city officials said Kappell was terminated by WHEC before Warren and Scott posted their statement about his comments.

GateHouse Media acquistion of Gannett approved

Nov. 14, 2019 -- Shareholders of Gannett and GateHouse Media approved the previously announced deal to combine the nation's two largest newspaper chains.

GateHouse parent New Media Investment Group purchased Gannett in a cash and stock deal creating a conglomerate that will own more than 250 daily newspapers including USA Today and Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle.

The deal is expected to close Nov. 19, according to New Media.

"This combination will create the leading U.S. print and digital news organization with deep local roots and national scale," Michael Reed, chairman and chief executive of New Media, said in a statement. "Together, we will be stronger, with a more viable path to growth for our shareholders and employees, while sustaining journalism in hundreds of markets across the country and enhancing the services we provide to small and midsized businesses nationally."

The stock price of New Media fell 29 percent during the past week. As a result, the deal, originally valued at $1.4 billion, is now under $1.2 billion.

The new company, run by GateHouse's management while keeping the Gannett name, will be under pressure to find extensive annual savings within the first two years of the deal. GateHouse management pledged up to $300 million in streamlining when it announced the deal in August.

Media executive Paul Bascobert has been named chief executive of the newly formed Gannett. Reed will remain chief executive of New Media.

Standoff ends betweer DirecTV, WHAM parent company

Nov. 6, 2019 -- After more than five months of negotiations, DirecTV and Deerfield Media, LLC, reached an agreement that returns WHAM-TV to the lineup of satellite service customers.

The retransmission agreement between DirecTV and Deerfield Media, which owns WHAM, expired May 31.

Standoff ends betweer DirecTV, WROC parent company

Aug. 30, 2019 -- WROC-TV is back on the air for local DirecTV customers following the resolution of a financial dispute between Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and AT&T. The companies signed off on a new multi-year retransmission consent agreement to provide Nexstar-owned broadcast stations to customers of AT&T's video platforms in 97 U.S. markets.

AT&T and Nexstar officials expressed regret over the inconvenience to customers, viewers and advertisers.

DirecTV viewers lost access to WROC on July 4.

D&C columnist Andreatta leaves for City Newspaper position

Aug. 21, 2019 -- Democrat and Chronicle columnist David Andreatta has been named as the new editor of City Newspaper. He will succeed City Newspaper co-founder and co-publisher Mary Anna Towler, who is retiring Oct. 31.

Bill and Mary Anna Towler founded City Newspaper in 1971 and sold it in May to Rochester Area Media Partners, a for-profit subsidiary of WXXI.

"We are proud to have David join the talented and committed staff at CITY Newspaper to help preserve and expand independent local journalism in the Rochester area," said Norm Silverstein, president of WXXI and chair of the RAMP Board. "We look forward to enhanced coverage of arts and culture, neighborhoods, and important issues facing our community, such as the need for education reform," he said.

Veteran broadcaster Hausmann sets retirement date

Aug. 12, 2019 -- WBEE-FM Steve Hausmann will retire at the end of August, ending a 51-year broadcasting career.

"I'm very excited," said Hausmann, 70. "It's been kind of an unkept secret around town, but I chose today to tell everybody that I'm retiring."

Hausmann, a former weekend sports anchor at WHEC-TV, has been at WBEE since 2001.

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	A summary of noteworthy news about media in Rochester
	Most recent developments Editor of '(585)' magazine takes over ownership Nov. 21, 2019 -- The editor-in-chief of '(585)' magazine is now also the owner. Jane Milliman, who has been in charge of the bimonthly magazine, bought the title from Buffalo Spree on Nov. 11. The magazine covers food and drink, arts and culture in the six-county area. Fired meteorologist suing Rochester mayor Nov. 18, 2019 -- Fired WHEC meteorologist Jeremy Kappell has filed a lawsuit alleging that Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren defamed him when she accused him of uttering a racial slur on the air in January. Kappell was fired after he spoke a phrase that sounded like "Martin Luther Coon King Jr. Park" during a live segment on the evening news that showed a shot of the downtown Rochester park bearing King's name. Kappell did not correct himself at the time. Two days later, Warren and City Council president Loretta Scott demanded Kappell be fired, saying the purported slur was "beyond unacceptable." Kappell, who had worked at the station since 2017, later apologized but WHEC fired him nonetheless. Kappell, who has said his utterance was the result of speaking too fast, filed a lawsuit in April alleging breach of contract and defamation by WHEC, general manager Richard Reingold and parent company Hubbard Broadcasting. A response by city officials said Kappell was terminated by WHEC before Warren and Scott posted their statement about his comments. GateHouse Media acquistion of Gannett approved Nov. 14, 2019 -- Shareholders of Gannett and GateHouse Media approved the previously announced deal to combine the nation's two largest newspaper chains. GateHouse parent New Media Investment Group purchased Gannett in a cash and stock deal creating a conglomerate that will own more than 250 daily newspapers including USA Today and Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle. The deal is expected to close Nov. 19, according to New Media. "This combination will create the leading U.S. print and digital news organization with deep local roots and national scale," Michael Reed, chairman and chief executive of New Media, said in a statement. "Together, we will be stronger, with a more viable path to growth for our shareholders and employees, while sustaining journalism in hundreds of markets across the country and enhancing the services we provide to small and midsized businesses nationally." The stock price of New Media fell 29 percent during the past week. As a result, the deal, originally valued at $1.4 billion, is now under $1.2 billion. The new company, run by GateHouse's management while keeping the Gannett name, will be under pressure to find extensive annual savings within the first two years of the deal. GateHouse management pledged up to $300 million in streamlining when it announced the deal in August. Media executive Paul Bascobert has been named chief executive of the newly formed Gannett. Reed will remain chief executive of New Media. Standoff ends betweer DirecTV, WHAM parent company Nov. 6, 2019 -- After more than five months of negotiations, DirecTV and Deerfield Media, LLC, reached an agreement that returns WHAM-TV to the lineup of satellite service customers. The retransmission agreement between DirecTV and Deerfield Media, which owns WHAM, expired May 31. Standoff ends betweer DirecTV, WROC parent company Aug. 30, 2019 -- WROC-TV is back on the air for local DirecTV customers following the resolution of a financial dispute between Nexstar Media Group, Inc., and AT&T. The companies signed off on a new multi-year retransmission consent agreement to provide Nexstar-owned broadcast stations to customers of AT&T's video platforms in 97 U.S. markets. AT&T and Nexstar officials expressed regret over the inconvenience to customers, viewers and advertisers. DirecTV viewers lost access to WROC on July 4. D&C columnist Andreatta leaves for City Newspaper position Aug. 21, 2019 -- Democrat and Chronicle columnist David Andreatta has been named as the new editor of City Newspaper. He will succeed City Newspaper co-founder and co-publisher Mary Anna Towler, who is retiring Oct. 31. Bill and Mary Anna Towler founded City Newspaper in 1971 and sold it in May to Rochester Area Media Partners, a for-profit subsidiary of WXXI. "We are proud to have David join the talented and committed staff at CITY Newspaper to help preserve and expand independent local journalism in the Rochester area," said Norm Silverstein, president of WXXI and chair of the RAMP Board. "We look forward to enhanced coverage of arts and culture, neighborhoods, and important issues facing our community, such as the need for education reform," he said. Veteran broadcaster Hausmann sets retirement date Aug. 12, 2019 -- WBEE-FM Steve Hausmann will retire at the end of August, ending a 51-year broadcasting career. "I'm very excited," said Hausmann, 70. "It's been kind of an unkept secret around town, but I chose today to tell everybody that I'm retiring." Hausmann, a former weekend sports anchor at WHEC-TV, has been at WBEE since 2001. [ LOOK BACK AT OLDER STORIES ]